The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop how to identify what year a 216 disributor is from

Does anyone know how to identify what year a distributor is from? There is a manufacturers part number on the spare? distributor and it is marked in yellow paint 216 on the outside. It looks a lot like the distributor that we have in our 1949 GMC Pickup with the 228 engine.

Husband has a 1949 GMC Pickup, i think it is an FC101. It has an older and maybe original distributor in the 228 engine and appears to have a bit of play. We have a spare distributor from a 1950 Chevy 216 engine. We are wondering if anyone knows if this will fit our GMC 228 engine? He said he tried it once and the truck would not start. Might have been 180 out but we would like to know if anyone knows if the 216 distributor will work in the 228 engine.
Thanks from a new forum poster.

Here is a list of Chevrolet part numbers.

Thanks Dave! We have been able to verify that the GM part number, on the spare distributor, matches the part number on the list for the 1949 - 1950 (216) application.
I guess we will have to remove the distributor that is in the 228 engine, verify the play, then compare this with the one for the 216 application.
We really appreciate all you help!

Sideways play in a stovebolt distributor is a chronic problem, but there is a fix. Remove the grease cup assembly that is threaded into the housing just above the vacuum advance. There is a spring and a plastic disc under the base of the lubricator that is supposed to put spring pressure against the shaft. Grease can solidify and keep the spring from putting a side load onto the shaft, and/or the plastic disc can wear out. A piece of phenolic plastic 5/16" in diameter and about 1/4" long can be used to replace the pressure disc. The phenolic plastic is available on Ebay- - - -a piece 3 or 4 inches long can fix a dozen distributors.

I fit a caged Torrington needle bearing to the top of the distributor housing and press a hardened steel sleeve onto the shaft, totally eliminating shaft wobble. Don't discard a wobbly distributor- - - -they're very easy to fix!
Jerry

Picture of what Hotrod is talking about.

Thank you so much for passing on your knowledge; greatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to share the knowledge and the photo!

Tell me more about the grease cup knob, Jerry.

How tight is it supposed to be? Where does the grease go? What kind of grease? How do I know if mine needs adjustment or grease?

The grease cup just needs to be filled with standard grease (wheel bearing). The shop manual says turn it in one turn every 1000 miles. That forces the grease into the bearing. When there's no more turns left, you need to refill the cup with grease.

Thanks. When I unscrew it to put grease in it, will that spring and little plastic disc come out? I don't want to lose anything.

I looked in the manual but couldn't find reference to it in the dizzy/electrical section. I guess it's in the Lubrication section "0"?

Don't unscrew the whole assembly, just the cup. The spring won't come out. Yes it's in section "0".

Thanks. I assume you just pack the cup and thread it back on?

Correct